Farmer to Farmer Mentorship
Get 1-on-1 Guidance from an Experienced Farmer
With guidance from mentors, beginning farmer mentees set production and business goals and gain real-time support to achieve success. Sierra Harvest Farm Institute will pair you with a tenured farmer to help you with the following:
Learn best practices for your farming operation
Troubleshoot areas you'd like to improve in
Strengthen operational efficiencies.
How It Works
Experienced farmer mentors empower beginning farmers through one-on-one guidance as they grow their businesses, add farm enterprises, hone production skills, manage labor, balance farm and life, and more.
The mentorship program typically runs March - November. Mentors and mentees work together to set goals for the mentorship season and build a communication system tailored for their individual needs and preferences. Unlike many internship programs, the mentee is not required to help on the mentor’s farm. Instead, the mentor & mentee visit each other's farms at least once during the season, and the mentor is available to communicate and answer questions via phone and email.
Mentors will be paid for their knowledge and skills, as well as receive mileage reimbursement. Mentees will receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program.
Program Requirements
-
Applicants must have been operating their farm business for at least one year prior to application date. We have found that farmers at this stage have more experience with basic farming issues and know where they need guidance.
Mentees must be actively working toward building or growing a commercial farm or ranch business. This program is not designed for hobby farming, homesteading, or general land management questions.
-
Our team matches experienced farmers with mentees based on production focus and geographic proximity. Mentors must be actively operating a farm or ranch business and have several years of experience relevant to the mentee’s goals.
Mentors are compensated for their time and expertise, and mileage reimbursement is provided for travel to mentees’ farms.
Apply at any time!
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
If you've been farming for less than 10 years in the Sierra Foothills in the following counties - Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, or Yuba, you are a good candidate to receive mentorship!
Questions? Get in touch with us!
"[My mentor] has been gracious enough to offer her invaluable guidance and support. Seeing other successful farmers who have overcome the many challenges to build thriving businesses gives me courage and strength."
- Keerti of Crow Song Farms, 2023 mentee